Coal country allows first gas turbines

The Department of Environmental Protection has issued an air quality plan approval to Moxie Liberty LLC of Vienna, Va., for construction of the first power plant in Pennsylvania to run on natural gas, including gas from the Marcellus Shale. The plant, which will generate up to 936 megawatts of electricity, will be built in Asylum Township, Bradford County, and create 500 construction jobs at its peak.

The project consists of two power blocks, with each block including a combustion gas turbine and a steam turbine. Each combined cycle process will be able to generate up to 468 megawatts of electricity and will also include a heat recovery steam generator and supplemental duct burners.

As part of the plan approval, Moxie was also required to perform air quality analyses and submit them to DEP for review. The agency determined that the proposed emissions from the plant will not cause or significantly contribute to air pollution in violation of national ambient air quality standards.

DEP also issued an industrial stormwater permit for the plant and gave approval for the use of water as drinking water.

Moxie Patriot LLC, a sister company to Moxie Liberty LLC, has applied for an air quality plan approval for a similar facility to be built in Clinton Township, Lycoming County. DEP is reviewing the application.